Holidaymakers from France, Italy, Germany and Britain were forced to flee the 1,500-cabin Costa Concordia in lifeboats when it hit a reef less than two hours after leaving port.
Some leapt overboard and swam to shore as the ship started to sink into the waters near the island of Giglio, off the Tuscan coast.
Francesco Paolillo, the coastguard spokesman, said that at least three bodies were retrieved from the sea and at least three more were feared dead.
Pregnant women and young children were among the 3,200 passengers and 1,000 crew on board.
Helicopters airlifted to safety around 50 people who were trapped on board.
Helicopters circle stranded ship as passengers brought ashore Telegraph